Say What? Improving Cross-Functional Team Communication

Say What? Improving Cross-Functional Team Communication

PDMA Minnesota | September 21, 2022

Description

Innovation project teams face special challenges as they navigate inherent risk and customer relationships. Members of multi-disciplinary innovation teams typically use different jargon and measure success with widely varied metrics. Yet, product development and innovation teams can be successful by bridging communication gaps and understanding project workflows. Communication starts with our own emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

In this presentation, you will learn how to improve communication on your cross-functional teams. You will be able to describe a model of risk for innovation projects that guides decisions for team structure. We will also share a case study using the Team Dimensions profile that illustrates the benefits of matching work styles with the project workflow. The outcome? With effective team communications and clear workflows, innovation projects are advanced with more energy and clarity!

Event Timeline

  • 5:30 - 6:00: Networking
  • 6:00 - 6:10: Introductions
  • 6:10 - 6:50: Presentation
  • 6:50 - 7:00: Q&A
  • 7:00: Adjourn

After this presentation, you will:

  1. Practice “people reading” and communication tips
  2. Learn why risk is important for projects involving innovation
  3. Recognize a team model evaluating different team member work styles

About the Speaker

Teresa Jurgens-KowalTeresa Jurgens-Kowal, President, Global NP Solutions, LLC

Teresa Jurgens-Kowal is passionate about innovation. She is an author, mentor, coach, and trainer. Teresa founded Global NP Solutions in 2009 to help individuals and organizations learn, adopt, transform, and sustain innovation. She enjoys helping people reach their highest levels of success with innovation. Teresa’s consulting clients include a full spectrum of large industry corporations to entrepreneurs seeking to launch new products. She coaches executives and managers to improve innovation performance using a variety of work style assessments and customized tools. Teresa frequently presents keynotes and breakouts locally and nationally on her favorite topics of innovation, design thinking, and product development.

As a Registered Education Provider (REP) with the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA), Teresa is the co-editor of the recently released 2nd edition of the PDMA Body of Knowledge. She published a chapter on leading virtual teams for innovation projects with the Virtual Team Model (VTM) (October 2018, Leveraging Constraints for Innovation). She has recently released the 2nd edition of The Innovation ANSWER Book, a comprehensive guide to building innovation leadership. The companion, The Innovation Question Book, was released in 2021 to help candidates prepare for the NPDP exam.

Teresa enjoys scrapbooking, knitting, and bicycling.

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